Appendages of
involucral bracts are dry,
thin, rounded or nearly triangular in shape, light brown to dark brown;
the outer more often with some comb-shaped
fringes along the edges; the middle deeply cut or toothed;
the innermost (i.e., toward the top of the involucre) may
be rounded or truncated and irregularly
cut along the top margin.
In other words, appendages of involucral bracts are intermediate between
those of C. jacea and C. nigra.